February 11, 2016

Till recently I was completely indifferent about red velvet cake, while it is truly North American dessert and here in Europe red velvet can be found in bakeries and cafes very rarely. And to be completely honest, I was afraid of eating cake with red layers, because it seemed very unnatural and I just couldn't imagine what taste it could possibly have. However, not long ago I was lucky to come upon red velvet cake for the first time and I was just blown down with it! I had no idea that this cake can be so good. It is not simply a chocolate cake, it has a distinguishing flavor and texture, unlike any other. I knew the next cake I bake definitely will be a red velvet.

You know that I don't need a reason to bake a cake, but since the Valentine's Day is just around the corner...red velvet cake seemed to be a perfect thing to bake. Also I didn't want to make a giant cake and waste huge amount of ingredients. Plus, I was not sure whether it turns out eatable good. So, I had an idea of making mini cake for two. How great is that?! Especially when you need only two 400 ml (14 oz) cans to bake the layers! I adore this idea. And I am sure I will make more mini cakes.

So, the cake not just turned out eatable good, it was fantastic! Moist, crumbly layers and a delicate cream cheese frosting both with a hint of orange (inspired by naked red velvet cake by Michelle, which looks magnificent, by the way!). One of the best cakes I have made so far. The recipe makes two mini cakes 8 cm (3 inch) in diameter each. But you can divide ingredients in two to make just one mini cake.

June 01, 2015

I have made this cheesecake for the very first time in the beginning of May. Since than I've made it three more times, almost every weekend. And all this time I have been wanting to share the recipe with you so badly!

The first time I made this cheesecake, it was absolutely spontaneous. I happen to have 2 kg of the really good quality farmer cheese . Me + 2 kg of farmer cheese = baking. I decided it must be a cheesecake, because actually I had been craving after it for some time back than. So, when I had an opportunity to bake a lighter version, I didn't have to think twice. There was just a tiny problem - I was left without my camera for the whole week, so obviously no pictures - no post. However, it may have been even for the better, since I have improved the recipe afterwards.

I am not gonna lie, it was a wild month. Every time I had made a cheesecake, there always were some obstacles in the way to hinder me from sharing the recipe. At first, I didn't have camera, then came an examination week, right after it - my birthday, the celebration of which have dragged on for the whole week! Yeah, now I am 20, by the way!

During all May this cheesecake has been my true saviour and a great friend. It is a perfect snack when I crave for something sweet, though it is flourless and sugar-free! I hope you will fall in love with it like I did.

P.S. Do you also feel like a criminal when you pick the flowers in the public place?

January 19, 2015

No doubt that you have eaten a lot of fancy desserts in your life, but when I will ask you to name your favourite, I am almost sure it will be something from your childhood. I have checked this theory not once, and it works.

So, you must have guessed by now that my childhood wouldn't have been fully happy without mlyntsi. Kidding of course, but to be honest, mlyntsi were (and still are) the most respected dessert in our family. Mlyntsi are well known traditional food in Ukraine, which are similar to French-style crepes. Our cuisine is pretty simple, it involves anything our ancestors had near at hand. Milk, eggs, butter and flour are exactly the foodstuffs that could be found in any home.